Cleverly confident

By Richard Maynard

Welsh hot-shot Nathan Cleverly says he’ll give Italy’s Antonio Brancalion a worse beating than Silvio Berlusconi after their fight for the European light-heavyweight title was postponed. Cleverly was meant to tackle Brancalion in Italy at the end of the month after his rival’s camp won purse bids for the fight, but it’s now fallen through, leaving Cleverly fuming. “I sacrificed my Christmas for this joker,” said Cleverly. “It’s obvious that Brancalion is running scared, and his team is doing everything they can to make sure this fight doesn’t happen. I’ve spoken to my promoter Frank Warren and he has put forward a complaint to the EBU championship committee. At least that’s a bit of good news and hopefully the fight will take place over here, but I’m mad at Brancalion and I’m going to teach him a lesson if he finally has enough bottle to face me.”

“I’ll give him a beating far worse than the one Silvio Berlusconi got recently when I finally get my hands on him.”

Hot prospect Cleverly, currently the British and Commonwealth champion, is riding high in the IBF and WBO rankings, and is also in the top 15 for the WBA and WBC.

The Cardiff University student, still only 22, is aiming to break into world class in 2010, and wanted to use his fight against Brancalion as a springboard for success.

“I want the European title to add to my British and Commonwealth crowns, so hopefully this fight comes off,” said the Welshman, unbeaten in 18 fights.

“But if it doesn’t I might just go straight after a world title instead. I’m ready to make the step up and be let off the leash.”